Comprehensive Description

The genus Clarias ScopoliZBK , 1777 is a group of air-breathing catfishes found in inland waters throughout much of the Old World.

They are easily identified by an anguilliform body, long-based dorsal and anal-fins, eye with free orbital margin and located dorsolaterally, large and well-developed neurocranium and the presence of an accessory breathing organ comprised of modified gill arches.

Although the bulk of ClariasZBK diversity is found in Africa (Teugels, 1986), 18 nominal species, 12 of which are currently considered valid (Ng, 1999; 2001), are known from Southeast Asia.

As recent studies have shown, the diversity of Southeast Asian ClariasZBK is higher than previously thought and undescribed taxa are still being described.